City wants to lead UK on 'life skills' lessons

SECONDARY school pupils in Nottingham could be the first in Britain to have lessons in "life skills".

A pilot scheme giving advice on relationships and pregnancy could become reality in September 2009 if schools agree.

It is one of the first acts of Nottingham's newly-formed Teenage Pregnancy Taskforce. Its members include acting city council chief executive Jane Todd, Nottingham North MP and chairman of One Nottingham, Graham Allen, and city primary care trust (PCT) chief executive Andrew Kenworthy.

Mr Allen said the life skills lessons would bring together work already done in other classes.

He said: "It will provide the emotional and social skills which must come before someone has a child.

"We would like to be the first place in the country to have what will be mandatory in the next two years, because we need it more than everyone else."

Earlier this year Nottingham was one of 21 areas in the UK told to do more to bring down its teen pregnancy rates. A Government letter to city council and PCT officials said contraception clinics should be set up in schools and more "long-lasting" contraception, such as injections, given out.

Peter Cansfield, the PCT's consultant in public health medicine, said: "Promoting the use of long-acting contraceptive methods is not new. For many younger people who are sexually active it will be the most appropriate form of contraception. Where it is appropriate in a school setting, the PCT is happy to discuss onsite provision."

He said the PCT was tackling teen pregnancy in many ways, including helping schools provide relationships advice as part of existing classes.

A national newspaper reported yesterday that cities including Nottingham were being told to carry out more contraceptive injections. They can be given without permission from parents or guardians and provide three months' protection.

Nottingham City Council and PCT officials were sent letters demanding urgent action to meet national pregnancy targets. Mr Allen, who responded to the Government, said he supported the measures, but that they had to be combined with education and information helping youngsters to make responsible decisions.

He said: "I want to teach these young people the right way to live their lives rather than picking up the pieces afterwards."

A Department of Health spokesperson denied a national report that girls as young as 13 would be pressed to have contraceptive injections.

The Post reported earlier this year that the city's teen pregnancy rates had decreased only slightly despite millions of pounds being spent.

robert.parsons@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk